Bangkok: brilliance and poverty in one bottle

If you're short on time in Bangkok, but still want to get a feel for the country's sights, the Royal Palace is a must-see. It's the most iconic spot in all of Thailand. The palace is made up of lots of different buildings, like the Royal Pantheon, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the Grand Palace of Chakri. You'll also find the Supreme Residence complex, the Royal Library, and the Queen Sirikit Museum, among others.

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha houses the main shrine of Thailand, which only the king or crown prince is allowed to touch. The pagodas are inlaid with gold and bronze. Despite the fact that the temple is called the Emerald Temple, it is not known for certain what material the statue is made of, there are different versions: emerald, jade or jadeite.

The temple entrance is really something special - it's watched over by 12 big bronze lions that were brought all the way from Cambodia. But that's not all, there are also some pretty cool mythical creatures standing guard, like the Yaksha demons, and these half-human, half-bird things called Garuda and Kinnari.

The library contains sacred manuscripts written on palm leaves.

My daughter Erica and I had a great time visiting the Queen Sirikit Museum, it's a fantastic textile museum that showcases all of the Queen's stunning official dresses. The dresses on display are truly beautiful, with elegant designs and refined details that really catch your eye.

In Thailand, the monarchy is deeply revered, and you can't miss the portraits of the king and queen that seem to be everywhere - from government offices and hospitals to museums and even along the roads. The Thai people have a lot of respect for their royal family. But if someone dares to speak ill of the monarchy, they face severe punishment, including imprisonment for 3 to 15 years, which is one of the toughest penalties in the world for such an offense. This shows just how seriously the Thai people take their monarchy and how protective they are of their royal institution. The laws are strict, and the consequences are harsh for anyone who disrespects the king and queen. It's a reflection of the significant role the monarchy plays in Thai culture and society.